Tnpsc Current Affairs in English – 26th July 2023

1. Which Union Ministry launched the ‘YES- TECH Manual and WINDS portal’?

[A] Ministry of Defence

[B] Ministry of MSME

[C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare

[D] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer: [C] Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers welfare

In New Delhi, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare unveiled various initiatives under PMFBY and RWBCIS, including the YES- Tech Manual, WINDS portal, and the door-to- door enrolment app AIDE/Sahayak. The YES- TECH Manual represents a thorough and all- encompassing handbook that has been meticulously crafted through extensive trials and piloting across 100 districts in India.

2. ‘National IPR Policy’ is associated with which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

[B] Ministry of MSME

[C] Ministry of Science and Technology

[D] Ministry of External Affairs

Answer: [A] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

The Intellectual Property Rights Policy Management (IPRPM) framework covers various types of intellectual property rights, including: (i) Patents, (ii) Trade mark, (iii) Industrial Designs, (iv) Copyrights, (v) Geographical Indications, (vi) Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Layout Design, (vii) Trade Secret, and (viii) Plant Varieties. This comprehensive framework, known as the National IPR Policy 2016, consolidates all these intellectual property rights under one unified vision document.

3. Which city hosted the ‘National Conference On Rural WASH Partners’ Forum’?

[A] Mumbai

[B] New Delhi

[C] Pune

[D] Varanasi

Answer: [B] New Delhi

The Union Minister for Jal Shakti commenced a two-day National Conference on Rural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Partners’ Forum (RWPF). The conference’s theme is ‘Accelerating Progress towards a Swachh Sujal Bharat’. It was organised in New Delhi.

4. Which Indian state is set to inaugurate the largest office space in a single project globally?

[A] Maharashtra

[B] Gujarat

[C] Telangana

[D] Tamil Nadu

Answer: [B] Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Surat Diamond Bourse, which is acclaimed as the largest office space in a single project globally. The Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) has been strategically designed to relocate and expand the diamond trading industry from Mumbai to Surat, the central hub for diamond cutting and polishing, with the intention of further growth and development.

5. Gyanvapi mosque, which was seen in the news, is located in which state?

[A] Gujarat

[B] Uttar Pradesh

[C] Madhya Pradesh

[D] Maharashtra

Answer: [B] Uttar Pradesh

The Gyanvapi Mosque, in Varanasi, was built by Aurangzeb in 1669. Recently, a Varanasi court issued instructions for a “scientific investigation/surveyl excavation” of the Gyanvapi mosque grounds to be conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India. The court tasked them with determining whether the current structure was built on top of a pre-existing Hindu temple.

6. Which is the first state to pass ‘Platform Based GIG Workers (registration and welfare) Bill’?

[A] Tamil Nadu

[B] Rajasthan

[C] Karnataka

[D] Kerala

Answer: [B] Rajasthan

Recently, the Rajasthan government presented the Rajasthan Platform Based GIG Workers (registration and welfare) Bill, 2023, marking the country’s first legislation of its kind. This bill aims to ensure social security for gig workers and includes provisions for imposing monetary fines on aggregators who do not adhere to the Act.

7. Which Union Ministry issued the ‘IRC codes and guidelines’?

[A] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

[B] Ministry of MSME

[C] Ministry of Commerce and Industry

[D] Ministry of Defence

Answer: [A] Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

The IRC (Indian Road Congress) codes and guidelines were issued recently by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. These guidelines, approved by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, aim to improve road safety by incorporating best practices and global standards, providing better visibility and intuitive guidance to drivers.

8. ‘Diptericin B’ a peptide is used by which species?

[A] Snake

[B] Fly

[C] Mosquito

[D] Bat

Answer: [B] Fly

According to a recent study, different species of flies have evolved a specific peptide called diptericin B to regulate acetobacter. This peptide acts as a potent weapon targeting the specific bacterium, effectively eliminating it. Flies rely on this defense mechanism as acetobacter is prevalent in decaying fruit, making them highly vulnerable without it.

9. Cymbidium lancifoliu, a rare species of orchid has been found in which state other than the north-east states?

[A] Chhattisgarh

[B] Himachal Pradesh

[C] Uttarakhand

[D] West Bengal

Answer: [C] Uttarakhand

A highly uncommon terrestrial orchid species known as Cymbidium lancifolium was found in the Chopta valley of the Chamoli district, situated in the Western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. Before this discovery, the presence of this species had been documented solely in the northeastern regions of India and Bhutan.

10. Researchers from which institution has created short peptide named ‘Topoisomerases’?

[A] IIT Madras

[B] IISc Bengaluru

[C] NIV Pune

[D] ICMR

Answer: [B] IISc Bengaluru

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (I1Sc) have created a short peptide, comprising approximately 24 amino acids that mimics the action of a natural toxin capable of poisoning key enzymes in disease-causing bacteria including highly dangerous and antibiotic-resistant species. These enzymnes, known as topoisomerases, are vital for the manipulation of bacterial DNA during replication and protein synthesis, and they present an attractive target for antibiotics due to their distinctiveness from human enzymes.

11. Which state is to offer Matsya Vahini e- autorickshaws’ to fishermen on a lease basis?

[A] Kerala

[B] Tamil Nadu

[C] Karnataka

[D] Goa

Answer: [C] Karnataka

The Karnataka Fisheries Development Corporation (KFDC) will soon offer Matsya Vahini e-autorickshaws to fishermen on a lease basis, enabling them to sell fish and value-added fish products more effectively. The project’s pilot phase commences in Bengaluru, with the distribution of 150 such vehicles, priced at 8 lakh each, to selected fishermen beneficiaries identified by the Fisheries Department.

12. Mt Brammah is a mountain massif located in which Indian state/UT?

[A] Jammu and Kashmir

[B] Uttarakhand

[C] Bihar

[D] Sikkim

Answer: [A] Jammu and Kashmir

Brammah is a mountain massif located in the Kishtwar Himalayas of Jammu and Kashmir, India, situated east of Kishtwar town and in close proximity to the Himachal Pradesh border. An Indian team has made history by successfully reaching the summit of Mt Brammah 1, which is standing at a height of 6,416 metres.

13. Which construction company has bagged the ‘MAHSR C3 package’ of the Mumbai Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Project?

[A] Tata Projects

[B] L&T Construction

[C] GMR Infrastructure

[D] Shapoorji Pallonji and Company

Answer: [B] L&T Construction

L&T Construction, an arm of Larsen and Toubro, has bagged a mega contract from NHSRCL to construct the 135.45 km MAHSR – C3 package. It is a crucial part of the Mumbai Ahmedabad High- Speed Rail Project. The scope of the MAHSR – C3 package involves building viaducts, stations, bridges, tunnels, depots, and other auxiliary works.

14. Which state sanctioned Rs 5700 crore for ‘Interest Subsidy-Subvention’ scheme to provide interest-free crop loans up to Rs. 1 lakh to farmers?

[A] Punjab

[B] Odisha

[C] Karnataka

[D] Telangana

Answer: [B] Odisha

Recently, the Odisha Cabinet sanctioned Rs. 5700 crore for the implementation of a State sector scheme called ‘Interest Subsidy-Subvention.’ This scheme aims to provide interest-free crop loans up to Rs. 1 lakh to farmers. For crop loans ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh, the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided to charge a retrospective interest rate of 2% starting from April 1, 2022.

15. The ‘Advertising Standards Council of India’ is headquartered in which city?

[A] New Delhi

[B] Mumbai

[C] Chennai

[D] Bhopal

Answer: [B] Mumbai

On July 20, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the self-regulatory body of the advertising industry, announced guidelines for advertisements related to charitable causes. It specified that advertisers should refrain from using graphic images of distressed victims, especially children and minors. Established in 1985, ASCI is headquartered in Mumbai.

16. ‘Price Stabilisation Fund’ is associated with which Union Ministry?

[A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

[B] Ministry of Finance

[C] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

[D] Ministry of MSME

Answer: [A] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

To address the current surge in tomato prices and ensure affordability for consumers, the government has initiated the procurement of tomatoes through the Price Stabilisation Fund. These tomatoes are being provided to consumers at significantly subsidized rates. The Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) was set up in 2014-15 under the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Famers Welfare. It was then transferred to Department of Consumer Affairs from 2016.

17. Which organisation introduced six new mutual fund strategies under ESG theme?

[A] RBI

[B] SEBI

[C] PFRDA

[D] IRDAI

Answer: [B] SEBI

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has broadened the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) thematic category’s scope, enabling asset management companies to introduce funds under six new strategies. Previously, mutual funds were restricted to launching only one scheme with ESG investing within the thematic category for equity schemes.

18. Admiral Lisa Franchetti’ is the first woman to hold the post of Navy’s top officer in which country?

[A] New Zealand

[B] USA

[C] UK

[D] Germany

Answer: [B] USA

Admiral Lisa Franchetti has been selected by US President Joe Biden to become the Navy’s highest-ranking officer. She also made history as the first woman to hold this prestigious position in the US Navy. Additionally, her appointment would mark the first time a woman has been part of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

19. Magellanic penguins prevalently breed in which country?

[A] India

[B] Argentina

[C] South Africa

[D] Australia

Answer: [B] Argentina

Around 2,000 penguins Magellanic penguins died on the coast of eastern Uruguay in the last 10 days due to avian influenza. Magellanic penguins breed in the southern regions of Argentina. During the southern hemisphere winter, they undertake a northward migration in pursuit of food and warmer waters, and their journey may lead them as far as the coast of the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo.

20. When was the ‘European Peace Facility’ established?

[A] 1991

[B] 2001

[C] 2011

[D] 2021

Answer: [D] 2021

Established in 2021, the European Peace Facility (EPF) is designed to provide funding for endeavors aimed at preventing conflicts, promoting peace, and bolstering international security. The facility is utilized to partially reimburse EU countries for the expenses incurred in supplying weapons, ammunition, and other military assistance to countries beyond the bloc.